For generations, the admissions process of the Ivy League schools and other top colleges has been cloaked in mystery and myth. Now Michele A. Hernandez, a former admissions officer at Dartmouth, finally breaks the ancient code of silence to reveal how the world's most highly selective schools really make their decisions. With absolute candor, Hernandez tells you all the hard truths, provides all the secrets, reveals how admission officers factor in every extenuating circumstance, and, most importantly, she shows you how to make this complex, high-stakes system work for you. Thorough, direct, and written for real results, A IS FOR ADMISSION answers the questions asked by countless students: * What do admissions officers really look for and what turns them off? * How are test scores and grades truly evaluated? * Does applying for early decision hurt or help you get in to the college of your choice? * How can you improve the chances of acceptance?